Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Visitors travelling through Heathrow Airport in London from Tuesday are to be entertained with a range of Doctor Who themed experiences including appearances from Cybermen, TARDIS photobooths, displays of props and memorabilia, and augmented reality hotspots.The BBC worldwide event, in partnership with Heathrow, is to celebrate 50 years of Doctor Who. Travellers will be able to take pictures of themselves and friends on alien worlds and be menaced by monsters from the comfort of the TARDIS photobooths. Doctor Who passports will be available containing giveaways including a free episode to download, information about Doctor Who activities in terminal over the summer, and a free digital copy of Doctor Who Adventures Magazine.To mark the launch of the partnership, on July 16 travellers through Terminal 5 will be able to enjoy performances by theLondon Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, Doctor Who novelistJenny Colgan, author of the recently released Doctor Who: Dark Horizons will also be signing books for fans.Amanda Hill, Chief Brands Officer for BBC Worldwide comments

In its 50th Anniversary year we want to include fans around the World in our Doctor Who celebrations and this partnership with Heathrow is a fantastic way of capturing the attention of people from across the globe

.Susan Goldsmith, Operations Director at Heathrow Terminal 5 said

I am delighted that Heathrow has been chosen to host this much loved British iconic series. With visitors from over 180 destinations worldwide, as the UK’s only hub airport, Heathrow offers a fantastic opportunity to bring the Doctor Who experience to an international audience this summer.

Travelers are invited to share their images of Doctor Who at Heathrow using the hashtag #WhereDoYouWantToGo

On Monday July 15, Manga Entertainment will release the first half of the seriesSteins;Gate (12 episodes) in both Blu-ray and DVD editions. The television anime is based on the "scientific adventure game" by the studios 5pb. and Nitroplus. The artist huke (Black Rock Shooter) designed the characters. The story involves the eccentric college student Rintarō "Okarin" Okabe and his circle of friends in Tokyo's Akihabara district. The friends turn a microwave oven into a machine that sends email messages to the past. The second half of the series is due for release on September 30.

Also on Monday, MVM will release the first series of Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? (Is This a Zombie?). It will consist of 12 episodes and one OAV. The series adaptsShinichi Kimura's light novel series of the same name. A normal high school boy named Ayumu Aikawa as he is killed and resurrected as a zombie by a necromancer named Eucliwood ("Eu"). Ayumu then accidentally deprives the magical girl Haruna of her powers, so she demands that Ayumu take her place in fighting her enemy Megalo. The second series, Is This a Zombie? 2 (aka Is This a Zombie? of the Dead) is due for release later in 2013.

Manga will also release the third volume of Tiger & Bunny (below right), continuing the adventures of Barnaby ("Bunny") and Kotetsu ("Tiger"), the superhero defenders of Sternbild City. As with the previous two volumes, it is a combo pack containing two DVDs and one Blu-ray.

- Re One Piece's sales: "One Piece Box 1′s sales for its first month are better than the latest iterations of Bleach – however they are only about 60% of what Dragon Ball Z Box 1 took in for month 1 and basically comparable with box 13 of Naruto Shippūden,'

- One Piece and Highschool of the Dead are counted as new releases in June, although they came out at the end of May.

- Highschool of the Dead sold over 2,000 copies; Last Exile sold just under 200 copies.

Japanese publisher Futabasha is offering a chance for one lucky reader to appear in the New Crayon Shin-chanmanga. The winner (and his or her family and friends) will not only appear in the manga in Monthly Manga Townmagazine, but also in the eventual compiled book volume.

To enter the drawing, readers have to cut out the entry form from the wraparound jacket band on the manga's first two volumes. (The campaign marks the release of the second volume on Friday.) Entrants must send the form with a promotional self-introduction, their written thoughts on the manga, and a photo (of you and everyone else you want to join you in the manga) toFutabasha by August 31.

The actual cameo will appear in the magazine's December issue on November 5.

Monthly Manga Town began running Shin Crayon Shin-chan (New Crayon Shin-chan) as a sequel to the original manga in 1990. The manga's original creator Yoshito Usuipassed away in 2009, but UY Studio, the team of assistants who had been creating the manga with Usui for many years, resumed the series one year later.

Entertainment Weekly recently spoke to Steven Moffatregarding some of the fandom's most sought after queries. The top of these would be who the 12th Doctor is and, due to the confusion caused by the conflicting tales of Moffat and BBC Worldwide's press releases, the length of the 50th Anniversary. Here are some highlights from the interview:Previously, it has been said that the new Doctor will be revealed in August, but due to the nature of the beast that is the internet, Steven Moffat commented that “unless we have an insane plan, we’ll announce a new Doctor within days of finalizing the new Doctor. I think we’ll go public pretty fast.”On the search for the 12th Doctor: “Well, it’s always just terrifying… When you’re suddenly faced with the reality that you are going to sit there and you are going to make that decision it does feel absolutely chilling. There’s a very big range of people who could play it and different ways you could go with it. We must get this right. One false move and the show’s over.” He did, however, refuse to comment on the gender of the 12th Doctor.Moffat also explained that we will see the 12th Doctor "in the closing moments"of the Christmas special as it is "traditional".A lot of people are worried that we will have to wait several months again due to a summer/autumn broadcast, and it looks like that is "probably right. But these things change so often."He commented on when he found out that Matt was leaving: “Well, I’ve known broadly speaking for a very long while because I knew how long, when he first came in, he was broadly speaking intending to do. And obviously, being the man I am, I always tried to persuade him to do longer and to do more and he [stayed] a little bit longer than he intended to. I knew that he would do what most of them do and do his three years.”He also revealed how Matt's timeline was all planned out beforehand: “We discussed ages ago that we would do three series and then he would do the 50th and then he’d do Christmas. That was Plan A for a very, very long while. That may sound cold that it was so far in advance but you’ve got to plan a career. [Laughs] The question was, “Will I be able to talk him out of it?” We went out for lunch and he said that he’d come very close to doing another series but it was the same argument: “If I do another series, I think I might do two more series, or three more series. I think I might never leave.” It’s that thing of wanting to leave while you’re a huge hit and not let it tail off.”On the length of the 50th anniversary special, Moffat has remained saying what he has always said: “I think you could call it movie-length, yeah. I mean, I’m saying that with a slight hint of vagueness because I don’t know the finished running time. [Laughs] It’s certainly well over an hour.”If we judge from Sherlock, this would mean 90 minutes, although "movie-length" can be anywhere from 90 to more than 180.He also explained how the Tenth and Eleventh Doctor's acted among one another: “They’re quite a fun pairing, I would say. There’s a bit of the normal joshing of each other but they’re both such enthusiastic Doctors. While they might be sort of competing slightly, they’re both standing there saying, “Oh god, it’s so cool, there’s two of me!” So, it’s very different. I think the other one that worked brilliantly was Jon Pertwee and Patrick Troughton. They were incredibly funny together. This is very different from that but it’s a sublime double act.” He further mentioned John Hurt's Doctor as being "a whole new Doctor played by a proper screen legend.”What would come as sad news to some, Moffat has commented on his future working on the show: “I’ve signed up for this next year, with the new Doctor. It’s one of those jobs when you know when you’ve had enough. At the moment I haven’t had enough and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I’m very excited for the challenge of the new Doctor and establishing that new Doctor. So, no plans to leave as yet. “ He has previously commented that he is "nearer the end than the beginning", so we still believe that series 8 will be his second-to-last series (or maybe even his last!).

Tonight will see the first of twoDoctor Whoconcerts to be performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of this year's2013 BBC Proms. Thepromwill be broadcast live from7:30pmonBBC Radio 3(with asecond promtomorrow morning at 10:30am), and recorded for broadcast on television at a later date.The concert will feature the premiere of a special song to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the show. Speaking to Mark Lawson on BBC Radio 4'sFront Rowon Tuesday, series composerMurray Golddiscussed writingSong For 50:

We thought it would be appropriate to write something to commemorate the birthday, it's essentially happy birthday to a lovely television programme. It was really the fact that, because I've been in the Royal Albert Hall twice with this body of music, I know how people react, and it's a real privilege to be able to write directly for an audience you know. I wrote this - well it's effective a long song - to speak for everybody in that room.

(full programme available to listen to worldwide via the BBC iPlayer (Murray Gold from 6:20))

Tickets went like that - unbelievable - and the queues I know for those final 1000 tickets - in fact it is so popular that we have two, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. They are just the most fun, those proms, a couple of years ago I took my kids to one and they are desperate to come to one as well because you get to see Matt Smith, you get the monsters and you get this great music.

(full Proms interview available to watch in the UK via the Breakfast website (Doctor Who from 3:40))

A report from the rehearsals of the prom was broadcast onBreakfastSaturday morning, during whichMatt Smithsaid:

I love the Albert Hall, I love the Proms, I love classical music, I think it is a great thing to see, all of Murray's really brilliant score over the years come to life, it's something we're really pleased and proud to be part of.

The rehearsals have been taking place all with, withMurray Goldobserving:

It's exciting, it's always exciting, it just gives you that feeling of goosebumps on the skin - it's even better once the audience is in there.

Earlier in the week, he spoke about the proms experience to Suzy Klein on BBC Radio 3'sIn Tune:

You're just talking about it and you're crystalising it in my head and I'm starting to shake ... I was about to answer "you know what, we've done it a few times now, we've played Sydney Opera House and Ben has conducted all around the world from this body of music, we've all got it down-pat now, and the National Orchestra of Wales know their stuff, and the London Symphonic Choir know their stuff" ... but you know, it's so exciting, and the fact that those tickets sold out in 45 minutes or something, and knowing how excited the audience will be and seeing families, mums and dads and children watching classical music for the first time ... when I think about just walking into that auditorium and hearing the sound of 5000 people - I love that. They start cheering and they start singing and all this stuff happens, and the it's a carnival.

(full interview available to listen to worldwide until Wednesday via the BBC iPlayer (Murray Gold from 57:25). It can also be downloaded as a podcast from the In Tune website)

The Proms isn't all about the music of Murray Gold, however; there will be a selection of other classical pieces from composers such as Bach, Bizet and Debussy, whose music has also appeared in the series, and specially composed music soundtracks created bywinners of the BBC's Create a Soundtrack competition. Plus, the concert will also hear music hailing back to the earlier era of the show, withDavid Jackson, director of theBBC National Orchestra of Walesexplaining onBBC Radio Wales:

You'll have the whole of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, a hundred players, as well as a choir, but also we've got the classic music performed on the same instruments they used in the original Radiophonic Workshop - they're basically electronic instruments that just look like a bunch of old tape recorders and something off the deck of the Starship Enterprise - it looks so old-fashioned we thought they were just props at first! (They'll be played by) people who are specially trained, who've learned how to make those work, they're not members of the orchestra, we just have them joining us, we've been very lucky to have them.

Doctor Who fans are a unique breed as you know, and their enthusiasm and their love for the show is second to none - and the excitement in their faces and in the faces of kids who come to the Albert Hall is like nothing else I've ever done.

Next Thursday'sBlue Peteron CBBC will include an item on presenterBarney Harwood's appearance at the Proms - having learnt how to play the trombone in three weeks during May for a Brass Band Challenge on the show, presenterHelen Skeltonthen presented him with a new challenge to play with the National Orchestra of Wales during theDoctor WhoProm (her challenge can be watched via theCBBC website, from 2:25).

These are the lyrics of Song for Fifty, written by Murray Gold, precisely as they were written on the Prom leaflet pictured to the right.

Thanks to @PondsAreCool

As I stand here waiting for my time to come, I follow in your footsteps, I follow when you run

From the jaws of disaster, from a planet besieged by deadly ancient foes

And you still make me smile when you stop and turn and say: 'This is a creature we can understand, a living being, it is just being, If we could find what's on its mind then perhapsWe might survive.'

And as we stumble down our slow road I can't but wonder what would it be like. To run away with you through time, where would we go who might we find. But on we go, cutting our paths, only one way, one day at a time, while you embrace the universe, spinning your way on the fast road, limitless endless.

So my dear friend you're getting kinda old now (or maybe we are). And now our children watch you do the deeds we marvelled at wondered at. From the jaws of disaster, from a planet besieged by deadly ancient foes.It's not the end yet there is no end.Fumbling and bumbling while all around is crumbling and stumbling through time like you're a mad man still it's humbling to watch you reconcile divergent creeds without succumbing to the lure of weapons, force or freed you only use intelligence and jokes and charm.

The annual Maize Maze fromYorkMazes Ltdhas been unveiled this weekend, with sixth DoctorColin Bakeron hand to open the specialDoctor Who-themed maze, which this year celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the series. The maze, shaped in the form of a Dalek and featuring the likenesses ofWilliam HartnellandMatt Smithis over 1,000 feet long, and contains some 6 miles of pathways.Baker, who had just encountered the Daleks in the field upon his 'arrival', wrly observed:

If we had to walk through a maize maze with a Dalek it would take two hours to film, because the wretched Dalek would fall over every second inch of the journey. Now, stick it on digitally afterwards - a twelve year old with a computer does it for them - and it looks brilliant - very envious!

There will also be a special sci-fi day at the site on the 27th July - see thewebsitefor more details.

A report and video of the opening with Colin can be found on theBBC News website.

Doctor Who fan and farmer Tom Pearcy has created a Dalek Maze in celebration of the 50th Anniversary. The maze is the biggest ever image of a Dalek (easily beating out that giant inflatable Dalek that was seen going down a street a few months ago). The maze opened to the general public today and is open until Monday 2nd September.

A special sci-fi day is also arranged for Saturday, July 27th,where visitors will come face to face with the Daleks, peer inside the TARDIS and take part in other fun Doctor Who and sci-fi activities.

The maze measures over 300m (1,000 feet) long and is cut out of an 18-acre field of more than 1 million maize plants.

The maze also features images of William Hartnell and Matt Smith, where it all began and where it is now.

Colin Baker said: “It is fantastic to see how much interest there is in the 50th anniversary of the show. I have been invited to join events all over the world this year, but what York Maze have created with their giant maize maze has to be one of the most imaginative ways to mark the 50th anniversary I have seen.

“Who would have thought almost thirty years after I played the Doctor that the show would continue to go from strength to strength reaching a new generation of fans? It is great that children and their families will be able to have their own Doctor Who-inspired adventures in the York Maze this summer.”

It has already appeared in both local and national news outlets, including a couple of videos embedded below.

Friday, 12 July 2013

The actressAnna Winghas died at the age of 98.Anna Wing had a small but memorable part in the 1982 Doctor Who storyKinda, playing Anatta, a manifestation of the Mara who appeared to Tegan in a dream.However, it was the creation of the character ofLou Beale, in the BBC soapEastEnders, for which she will be long remembered. She played the matriarch of the Fowler/Beale families from the show's first episode in 1985 until the character was killed off in 1988.Wing had a long career beforeEastEnders, appearing in small character roles on television as long ago as 1938 and appearing in some of the most iconic dramas such asZ-Cars,Dixon of Dock GreenandAnna Karenina.She is survived by her two sons, including the actorMark Wing-Davey, and five grandchildren. At the age of 98, she was believed to be the second longest-lived actress to have had a credited role in Doctor Who.

Characterhave announced a special edition 12" Dalek to celebrateDoctor Who's 50th Anniversary.

For the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, what could be better for collectors than his ultimate foe in truly British styling; Character unveils its Doctor Who 12-inch British Icon Dalek

This ultimate Doctor Who collectable 12-inch Dalek has been produced exclusively in Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary year. Beautifully displayed in the Union Flag, it celebrates the Daleks as a British icon and is ideal gift for all Doctor Who fans. This limited edition free-wheeling Dalek features poseable arm, head and eye while us having the ability to voice 10 Dalek phrases with lights and sound FX.

The Daleks were created by the Kaled scientist, Davros as travel machines. Davros had deduced that the years of radiation and chemical poisoning from an ongoing war would lead his race to mutate into immobile organisms. The Dalek travel machines would house these creatures and allow the Kaleds to survive.

In the course of his experiments however, Davros deliberately removed what he considered to be debilitating emotions from the mutants and a force of evil was spawned!

The Doctor Who 12-inch British Icon Dalek will be available from late August. Suitable for ages 5 years and over it will be a must have for the many generations of fans that the Timelord has gained in the past 5 decades.